Tag: Industrial production

Over the past 15 years, the industrial production of riboflavin has shifted almost entirely from chemical synthesis to a more cost-effective and sustainable biotechnological approach. In this fermentation-based process, genetically engineered bacteria and fungi are the primary producers of riboflavin (vitamin B2), a vital nutrient for both humans and animals.

Over 60% of commercially produced niacin is used for animal feed, but its origins for human consumption are both natural and synthetic. Niacin, or vitamin B3, is a water-soluble vitamin essential for metabolism and cell function. Understanding what is niacin produced from reveals its diverse pathways, from dietary intake to industrial synthesis.

While the human body can produce non-essential amino acids, it lacks the necessary metabolic pathways to synthesize the nine essential amino acids. Instead, these crucial building blocks of protein must be obtained from external sources, primarily through our diet.

Historically, potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter, was so critical for gunpowder production that nations went to great lengths to secure it. Today, the question of where does potassium nitrate come from has a more complex answer, involving both natural mineral deposits and advanced industrial processes to meet global demand for fertilizers, food preservation, and more.

Over two million tons of citric acid are manufactured annually. However, what is a good source of citric acid for specific home and culinary uses? While synthetic versions are common, many foods provide this weak organic acid naturally. Lemons and limes offer the highest concentrations.

Over 4% of the Earth's crust is composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). This versatile and abundant chemical compound originates from both natural biological and geological processes that unfold over millions of years, as well as from modern industrial manufacturing.

Approximately 5-10% of plant cell wall saccharides in common plants like Arabidopsis and rice consist of L-arabinose. The sources of arabinose are overwhelmingly plant-based, where the sugar exists bound in complex biopolymers rather than as a free monosaccharide.

Epsom salt, chemically known as magnesium sulfate, was famously discovered in a bitter saline spring in Epsom, England, in 1618, when a local cow herder noticed his cattle refused to drink the water. Today, this versatile mineral compound is sourced from both naturally occurring mineral deposits and modern industrial manufacturing processes.

Did you know the skin produces up to 90% of the body's vitamin D? This is only possible because of a crucial compound called 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is used for synthesizing this essential nutrient when exposed to sunlight. Beyond its role as a provitamin, this vital molecule has other important functions within the body and is a key diagnostic marker for a rare genetic disorder.

Over 50% of the dry mass of an average cell is protein, and since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, obtaining these compounds is fundamental to all life. Humans and animals must consume amino acids from food, while plants and microorganisms can synthesize them, and modern industry has developed a number of methods to produce specific amino acids.